Investigators went to the video and exonerated Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman of shoving a coach during a wrestling meet on Jan. 3.
The St. Joseph’s County Prosecutor’s Office said video of the alleged incident during the high school wrestling meet told a different story than the alleged turn of events New Prairie High School assistant wrestling coach Chris Fleeger described to police. Fleeger claimed Freeman gave him a “two-hand shove” while coming to the aid of his son, Vinny, during the competition.
“A review of the video evidence does not support those assertions,” according to a statement from the prosecutor’s office on Monday.
Fleeger said Marcus Freeman made contact with him after Vinny Freeman, a high school senior, lost his match and was being escorted from the mat out of the gym by his dad and Penn High School coach Brad Harper.
Notre Dame officials refuted the claims as unfounded. Fleeger also pointed a finger at Freeman’s wife, Joanna, alleging she was shouting at him from the hallway before police responded and separated the parties.
“Vinny Freeman, head coach Marcus Freeman’s son, was verbally accosted during and after his wrestling match by a local wrestling coach,” Notre Dame said in a statement issued Sunday. “Marcus and Joanna Freeman intervened and removed Vinny from the situation. At no point did Coach Freeman physically engage with anyone. We believe that the police report, which includes video evidence, fully exonerates Coach Freeman and makes clear these accusations are totally unfounded.”
Fleeger filed a police report while at the event.
Mishawaka Police Department on Monday said it had completed its investigation with the help of video of the meet and interviews with witnesses.
“Mr. Freeman turned toward the complainant and paused for approximately one second. Mr. Freeman then left the auditorium at a walk,” the prosecutor’s report said. “Based on a review of all evidence, the State would not be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime occurred. While the evidence suggests that a touching may have occurred, an inadvertent touching is not sufficient.”
–Field Level Media
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